Requirements
The African American Studies Major consists of 33 credit hours of interdisciplinary coursework in which students explore African American history and culture, and race in American identities, communities, and institutions. Courses examine U.S. race relations, early African diasporic history, African Americans expressive culture, the social, historical, political, and economic status of African Americans, and the theoretical concerns about the relationship between race and the production of knowledge. Many courses in African American Studies may also be used to satisfy the College’s General Education requirements in the humanities and social sciences. Students can declare the major or minor through POSM on MyCharleston. Majors will be assigned a faculty advisor. All minors are advised by the African American Studies Program director.
Required Courses (21 credit hours)
AAST 200 Introduction to African American Studies
AAST 250 Readings in African American Social Science Research
AAST 381 African American Studies Internship
AAST 401 Capstone in African American Studies
ENGL 216 Introduction to African American Literature or
ENGL 313 African American Literature
HIST 216 African American History to 1877
HIST 217 African American History, 1877 to present
Elective (Select 12 credit hours from the following, including at least 9 credit hours at the 300-level or above)
AAST 280 Introduction to African American Music
AAST 290 Special Topics
AAST 300 Special Topics
AAST 305 Visiting Artist Practicum
AAST 315 Black Women Writers
AAST 319 Contemporary Constructions of Black womanhood (cross-listed with ENGL 315)
AAST 330 Black Images in the Media
AAST 350 Comparative Black Identity
AAST 366 Race-Ethnic Relations
AAST 400 Independent Study
AFST 101 Introduction to African Civilization
ANTH 322 Peoples and Cultures of Africa
ANTH 323 African American Society and Culture
ANTH 327 Peoples and Cultures of the Caribbean
ENGL 313 African American Literature
HIST 211 American Urban History
HIST 304 History of the United States: Civil War and Reconstruction, 1845-1877
HIST 366 Comparative Slavery in the Americas
MGMT 351 Minority Entrepreneurship
POLI 330 Southern Politics
RELS 270 African American Religions
SOCY 337 Prejudice
THTR 316 African American Theatre
NOTE: The following special topics courses may also be taken for elective credit when they have sufficient content relevant to the major, as certified by the instructor and the Director of the African American Studies program:
AFST 202 Special Topics in African Studies
HIST 210 Special Topics in U.S. History
HIST 310 Special Topics in U.S. History
HIST 320 Special Topics in Lowcountry History
MUSC 222 Special Topics for Non-Majors
PHIL 298 Special Topics in Philosophy
RELS 298 Special Topics in Religious Studies
SOCY 349 Special Topics in Social Problems
Other departmental special topics, tutorials and independent study courses may also be counted.
The African American Studies Minor consists of 18 hours of interdisciplinary coursework in African American Studies. At least nine hours in the minor at the 200 level or above must be earned at the College of Charleston.
Required Courses (9 credit hours)
AAST 200 Introduction to African American Studies
ENGL 216 Introduction to African American Literature or
ENGL 313 African American Literature
HIST 216 African American History to 1877 or
HIST 217 African American History, 1877 to present
Elective (9 credit hours from the courses listed above in the Major)
